NIU’S Softball Coaching Staff Complete With Addition Of Assistant Joanna Lane

DeKalb, IL – Northern Illinois University head softball coach Donna Martin searched long and hard for an assistant coach that could serve the program in a number of capacities.

Mission accomplished.

Martin announced on Monday afternoon that she has hired former Wesleyan (GA) College head softball coach Joanna Lane as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2006 campaign. Her duties will include assisting in all areas of player development, scouting, player academic progress, camp/clinic coordinator, team travel, equipment/inventory and prospective player recruitment.

Prior to her stint at Wesleyan, Lane served as a graduate assistant coach at Florida State University, where she earned her master’s degree in Sport Management. In her one season with the ‘Noles, FSU was ranked as high as ninth in the country during the 2003 campaign.

“Joanna has demonstrated a tremendous passion to learn the career of coaching,” Martin said. “While furthering her education, she volunteered her services at Florida State, one of the best Division I softball programs in the country.

“As a head coach, she has resurrected the program at Division III Wesleyan College,” Martin continued. “Joanna has played, worked and coached at all levels and will bring that experience to our coaching staff.”

She has served as the Director of Land Sports and Human Resources for Camp Tapawingo in Sweden, ME, since 2000. While there, Lane was responsible for scheduling over 150 athletes in 14 different athletic skill development classes.

“Joanna’s past employment has required her to wear many hats, and that has helped hone her organizational and time management skills,” Martin said. “Along with coaching, Joanna has worked extensively as an educator, private camp administrator and student-athlete development coordinator.

“Her extensive array of experiences made Joanna the natural choice for this position.”

Lane played her collegiate ball at Georgetown College (KY) where she was a four-year starter and a three-year captain. She finished her career with a .286 batting average, while leading the Tigers to a pair of Mid-South Conference championships and a second-place finish in the 2002 Region XI Championship.

(For further information, please contact Matt Brendich) - NIU –